Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Chile all Heading for the Knockout Stage

The final round of games in the group stage have a different format than the previous games. All four teams play at the same time, and 2 groups play each day. So for the last round of games there are 4 each day, 2 at 11:00, and 2 at 2:00.

Mexico vs Croatia

The winner of this game was going to be moving on to the next round, while the loser would be knocked out of the tournament. Mexico almost opened the scoring halfway through the second half with a shot that clanged off the post. Apart from that there wasn't a great chance for either team until the 72nd minute. The Mexico captain Rafa Marquez rose to meet a corner kick and his header found the back of the net (http://gfycat.com/ConfusedScaryEquestrian). From that point on the game opened up because now Croatia had to score twice, but instead of a response from Croatia, Mexico added 2 more goals. A quick counter in the 75th minute left the Croatians exposed, and a driven ball across the box found Guardado who finished well with his left foot (http://gfycat.com/TornFakeChinchilla). In the 82nd minute a cross in from the right was flicked on at the near post and finished easily by Javier Hernandez (http://gfycat.com/FrequentBoringErin). His first goal of the tournament sealed the game for Mexico. Croatia got a consolation goal in the 87th minute through Perisic (http://gfycat.com/KaleidoscopicThoseBadger) but at that point Croatia was playing with 10 men, and the game was out of reach. Mexico advanced onto the next round and Croatia were sent home. 

Brazil vs Cameroon

Brazil came into the game ahead of Mexico on goal difference only. If they wanted to top the group they were going to have to beat Cameroon, who were already eliminated from the tournament. Neymar opened the scoring in the 17th minute. A low cross from the left side found him in the box and he cooly finished into the lower corner (http://www.gfycat.com/GlitteringCheerfulHammerheadshark). In the 26th minute Cameroon responded. A low cross back across the goal found Matip who had an easy tap in at the back post (http://www.gfycat.com/MealySeparateFairyfly). 10 minutes later Brazil took the lead back. Neymar cut in from the left side and smashed his shot past the keeper (http://gfycat.com/WhisperedFaroffKoi). His 4th goal of the tournament gives him the most goals in the tournament so far. Just 4 minutes into the second half Fred made it 3-1. A cross in from David Luis was chested in by Fred, who had been struggling to find the net so far in the competition (http://gfycat.com/ThoseCapitalBear). Fernandinho finished the scoring in 84th minute. A quick give and go played him in on goal and he slid it into the side netting (http://www.gfycat.com/TatteredDeadChrysomelid). Brazil advance into the next round atop group A, while Cameroon leave the tournament without a win for the second tournament in a row.

Chile vs Netherlands

Having won their first 2 games, both teams had already qualified for the next round prior to kickoff, so this match would determine who finished 1st and 2nd in the group. Chile looked like the better team for a majority of the game, but in the 77th minute it was the Dutch who opened the scoring. A cross in from the right was met by a leaping Leroy Fer, who headed it past the keeper (http://gfycat.com/InsignificantSpanishIslandcanary). The Netherlands added a second in stoppage time. A counter attack led by Arjen Robben was finished by Memphis Depay at the far post, following a low cross from Robben (http://gfycat.com/MinorHospitableDonkey). The Dutch topped group B and will face Mexico in the round of 16. Chile finished 2nd in the group and will play Brazil in the round of 16.

Spain vs Australia

Both teams were eliminated coming into the game, so it was a swan song for many on the Spanish team. It was to be the last game on the international stage for many of the players who won the competition back in 2010. The game had a much slower pace to it, and in the 36th minute Spain opened the scoring. David Villa, one of the players making his last appearance, finished a cross with a brilliant back heel past the Aussie keeper (http://gfycat.com/AcrobaticLastIndusriverdolphin). In the 69th minute Spain doubled their lead. A incisive pass from Iniesta found Torres who passed it into the side netting (http://gfycat.com/HandyInformalKiwi). The game was capped off by Juan Mata in the 82nd minute. A cross from the left found Mata at the far post, where he cheekily finished through the keepers legs (http://gfycat.com/PertinentClutteredIbis). It was dominance from the Spanish, but it was too late. Both teams were heading home.

Group A Final Standings

Group B Final Standings